Court asks for details of tsunami project

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the state government to furnish the details of tsunami rehabilitation projects implemented under Tsunami Rehabilitation Package, within one month.Passing the order, a Division Bench comprising Justice C N Ramachandran Nair and Justice P S Gopinathan observed that the report submitted by the state Deputy Secretary in this regard was vague and lacked details.The court had earlier asked the state to submit the details of the work carried out using Rs 1441.75 crores allotted by the Centre with complete breakup details."If necessary, the court will appoint a commission to examine whether the projects are really executed and whether there was diversion, misuse or misappropriation of funds in this regard," the order said.The Bench also directed to furnish the details regarding projects executed by the Housing Board, Kerala State Electricity Board and Kerala Water Authority.The court made the observation while considering a public interest litigation filed by A K Stephen seeking a direction to the the state to utilise funds allotted for the reconstruction of tsunamihit regions in the coastal belt of Alappuzha District.The court also directed the state not to divert the balance fund till further orders. The court adjourned the case to August 22 for further hearing.